France VAT Calculator
France VAT Calculator
VAT rate: 20% standard French VAT (TVA). Reduced rates exist for some goods and services.
If you sell to customers in France, or you buy from a French supplier, VAT is part of almost every price you see. France calls this tax TVA, short for taxe sur la valeur ajoutée, and it works the same way as VAT in other countries. The seller adds it to the net price, the buyer pays the gross price, and a VAT registered business settles the difference with the tax office. This page explains the French rates in plain language and gives you a calculator that adds or removes French VAT in seconds.
Use the tool above when you need a quick answer. Type any amount in euros, choose Add VAT or Remove VAT, and the calculator shows the net amount, the VAT amount, and the gross amount. It uses the standard French rate of 20 percent, which covers most goods and services. The rest of this page explains when the reduced rates of 10 percent, 5.5 percent, and 2.1 percent apply, shows a worked example, and covers the registration and invoicing basics that matter if you sell in France. If you sell across Europe, our EU VAT calculator compares the standard rates across the member states, and our UK VAT calculator covers the rates that apply in the United Kingdom. You can also return to the VAT calculator homepage at any time for the full set of tools.
French VAT rates: standard and reduced
France has four VAT rates. The standard rate is 20 percent and it applies to most goods and services, from electronics and clothing to restaurant meals and most professional services. The reduced rates are 10 percent, 5.5 percent, and 2.1 percent, and each one applies to a narrower list of goods and services. Knowing which rate fits your sale matters, because the wrong rate means the wrong price and the wrong VAT return.
The 10 percent rate covers categories such as some food served in restaurants, passenger transport, and some hotel stays. The 5.5 percent rate covers many essentials, including most food sold for home use, books, and some energy and housing services. The 2.1 percent rate is the lowest and covers a small list, including some medicines and some press publications. The exact scope of each rate is set by French tax law, and borderline cases exist, so check the category for your product before you pick a rate. A meal served in a restaurant, for example, is treated differently from food bought in a shop, and the same product can fall under different rates depending on how and where it is sold.
The calculator on this page uses the standard rate of 20 percent, because that is the rate most sellers meet most often. If your sale qualifies for a reduced rate, work out the VAT by hand with the same method shown in the worked example below, or ask your tax adviser to confirm the category. Reduced rates exist for some goods and services, and the calculator note above the results reminds you of that.
How to use the France VAT calculator
The tool takes seconds once you know what each option does:
- Enter the amount. Type the price in euros. Use the net amount if you want to add VAT, or the gross amount if you want to remove VAT.
- Choose Add VAT or Remove VAT. Add VAT starts from the net price and adds 20 percent. Remove VAT starts from the gross price and pulls the VAT back out.
- Read the three results. The tool shows the net amount, the VAT amount, and the gross amount, so you can copy the figure you need into a quote, an invoice, or a receipt check.
Worked example: 100 euros at 20 percent
A simple example shows the maths. Suppose you sell a lamp in France for a net price of 100 euros, and the standard rate applies.
- VAT: 100 euros times 20 percent equals 20 euros.
- Gross price: 100 euros plus 20 euros equals 120 euros.
So the customer pays 120 euros, and 20 euros of that is VAT. Going the other way, start from a gross price of 120 euros. The VAT inside that price is 120 euros times 20 divided by 120, which is 20 euros, and the net price is 120 euros minus 20 euros, which is 100 euros. The calculator does both directions for you, and it rounds the results to the cent, which keeps your invoices tidy.
Registration and invoicing basics in France
If you run a business that sells goods or services in France, you may need to register for VAT with the French tax office. Registration matters because it lets you charge VAT on your sales and reclaim the VAT you pay on business purchases, and because your invoices must show the correct VAT details. The rules depend on where your business is based, what you sell, and how much you sell, so check your own position before you start trading.
France also runs a small business scheme called the franchise en base. Businesses that use this scheme do not charge VAT on their sales and cannot reclaim VAT on their purchases. The scheme exists to keep the paperwork light for very small businesses, and it has eligibility conditions tied to turnover. If you think the scheme could fit your business, check the current conditions with the tax office or your adviser, because the limits and the details change over time.
A French VAT invoice normally shows the seller name and address, the buyer name and address, a sequential invoice number, the date of issue, a description of the goods or services, the net amount, the VAT rate applied, the VAT amount, and the gross amount. Keep copies of your invoices and your VAT records, because the tax office can ask to see them later. If you sell to customers in other countries, read our EU VAT calculator page for the cross border rules that apply inside the European Union.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard VAT rate in France?
The standard VAT rate in France is 20 percent. It applies to most goods and services, including electronics, clothing, restaurant meals, and most professional services.
What are the reduced VAT rates in France?
France has three reduced VAT rates: 10 percent, 5.5 percent, and 2.1 percent. They apply to narrower lists of goods and services, such as some food, transport, books, medicines, and press publications.
How do I add 20 percent VAT to a net price?
Multiply the net price by 0.20 to find the VAT, then add that VAT to the net price. For a net price of 100 euros, the VAT is 20 euros and the gross price is 120 euros.
How do I remove VAT from a gross price in France?
For the standard rate, divide the gross price by 1.20 to get the net price, then subtract the net price from the gross price to get the VAT. For a gross price of 120 euros, the net price is 100 euros and the VAT is 20 euros.
Does France have a small business VAT scheme?
Yes. France runs a small business scheme called the franchise en base. Businesses in the scheme do not charge VAT on sales and cannot reclaim VAT on purchases. Eligibility depends on turnover conditions, so check the current rules before you rely on the scheme.
What should a French VAT invoice show?
A French VAT invoice normally shows the seller and buyer details, a sequential invoice number, the date of issue, a description of the goods or services, the net amount, the VAT rate, the VAT amount, and the gross amount.
Final Thoughts
French VAT is simple once you know the four rates and the two directions of the calculation. Most sales use 20 percent, smaller lists use 10 percent, 5.5 percent, or 2.1 percent, and the calculator above handles the standard rate for you in both directions. Work through the example with your own figures, check the category when a reduced rate might apply, and keep your invoices complete. If you also sell into other markets, the EU VAT calculator and the UK VAT calculator on this site can help you price those sales correctly.